A/N —hi! I'm really sorry if the story is a little slow-paced atm! :( it gets juicier and better in a few chapters. I'm just trying to build up the plot still. enjoy the chapter xo

MONEY WAS POWER. In a world filled with people who dominated the market, controlling and owning everything we had, corruption was inevitable. Letting out a yawn, I swirled the glass of coffee I had ordered from downstairs earlier. I often felt like an esteemed guest instead of a student. However, it didn't come as a surprise that this was solely made for them to feel comfortable. 

With the sun beginning to rise, I had been too excited to put my plans into action than sleep. It had been a while since I behaved this way. It was one of the many reasons why my father preferred I stay sheltered. I liked challenges, and I liked stirring up trouble. Dialling the number, I waited patiently as the line rang for the third time when a gruff voice answered, "Vincent Mongomery speaking, who is this?" His prompt reply was expected, considering that I was calling from a private number that was impossible to track. If they tried, it would give them several different locations from all over the world and change in a matter of seconds. Along with using a robotic male changing voice, I made sure to cut off all leads. 

After thorough digging into Natalia Montgomery, I found more than I initially wanted. With someone of her temper and nasty personality, I was confident that she would be full of scandals. I had more expectations for the system's security but was disappointed by how easy it was to access. Scanning through her locked information, I had nearly fainted and emptied my guts at what my poor eyes saw. Lost emails, texts, raunchy photos, videos, and if it weren't bad enough—a goddamn sex tape, I had almost lost my innocence. Luckily, when I looked into her relatives, it seemed that they weren't related to my disappearance in the slightest. Her family, they were just a bunch of greedy bastards who didn't know loyalty. 

Despite her standing as a Royal and part of the top-tiers, there were certain things that money couldn't do. The moment it made its way into the database, all she could do was hope that no one found it. And unfortunately for Natalia Montgomery, God wasn't on her side today. 

She warmed the beds of married men to get ahold of exclusive business deals for her father while rising in the fashion and entertainment industry by receiving special treatment. While only being nineteen, it was no wonder she rose that quickly. "How do you feel selling your daughter out for your own benefit?" After a moment of silence, I assumed that they were trying to track my location. He must have been an idiot if he thought he could silence me. Reading aloud a series of coordinates, I could hear light breathing as if he was contemplating the right words without provoking me. "Clearly, if I can find your location in seconds, do you seriously believe you're capable of finding out who I am?" 

And I suppressed the giggle that threatened to emerge from my lips. Pressing enter on my keyboard, I leaned back and watched as the scene unfolded. I hoped Mr. Montgomery's eyes burned the way mine did. Once the video was uploaded to the system, it would almost become a virus. When you tried to close the tab, dozens would follow until the computer couldn't handle it and shut down. Vaguely hearing the echoes of moans pass the line, I muted myself as I burst in compressed laughter. "Hurry up and close the tabs! It's going to every device we have in the company!" I almost pitied the workers. Crashes of furniture and screamed demands, I enjoyed his distress and wondered how humiliating that everyone must have seen that. 

Did I feel bad for a single second? No regrets and I would do it again. When I learned that her father and Natalia had ruined a girl's reputation and life by doing the same thing I was, I suddenly didn't hesitate. She had attended St. Blair's last year and mysteriously disappeared without a trace. A sex tape of her was released, and it ruined her life entirely. Kicked out of the academy, banned from the social circle, and unable to find a job, she had nothing. As a result, she committed suicide. Although she provided valid evidence that Natalia had set her up by drugging her and luring her into a hotel room, no one believed it. She died and never received a proper burial. With her family deceased and relatives too afraid, no one mourned her death. All she had was a rotten, wooden plank that substituted her headstone. From there, I no longer had the will to look through the covered-up cases by Vincent Montgomery. 

The Montgomery's had a very long list of faults and many unfulfilled debts to repay. I planned to take what they previously built from generation to generation. But fortunately enough, I would leave the bare minimum and make sure they lived like a 'commoner.' "Who are you!" Vincent Montgomery wheezed out breathlessly, and I worried he'd suffer from a heart attack before the show reached its climax. "I'll give you as much money as you want!" 

"Gracie Sommers," my words were hauntingly cold. "Do you remember her?" 

"I'm willing to offer fifteen percent of Montgomery shares." 

He didn't bother to reflect, and I knew he held no remorse for his actions. It made me livid. "What do I gain from a company that's going to crumble soon?" I mocked impatiently, eyeing the notebook sitting in front of me. With a small, transparent smile, I crossed out Natalia's name. "An eye for an eye, Mr. Montgomery," I continued sharply. "You can hold onto your company for another five months."

"You dare to fucking spew threats with me?" He seethed. "I'll make sure you can join that bitch, Gracie, too!"  

The reason why he ruined Gracie was that she had inherited several different corporal shares. While being one of the largest in Montgomery's, he was blinded by greed. If he could manipulate her to do his bidding, he would be untouchable. Although his actions may not have represented the top-tiers themselves, many acted the way he did. "Three months. I will give you that long until you're forced to file for bankruptcy," I began. And in no way was I afraid. Compared to others, his corporation could be regarded as a 'small fry.' "And frankly, your daughter's an asshole." 

"Who are you?" He asked once more. By the tone of his voice, I could tell he was shaken up. 

Clicking my tongue, I stared at Daniel's name next and circled it. "Nobody important, Mr. Montgomery." 

OUT OF THE KINDNESS of my heart, I gave Vincent Montgomery a week of my blessings. His launch for a new computer and limited edition game would be released soon. Giving him the illusion that my phone call was of baseless threats, I let him feel as if he was safe. I waited while the prices of his shares rose in the market, and I could imagine his worry disappearing by then. After all, a hit hurts more when it's unexpected.

"You must be stupid for remaining here," scowled Liana as Natalia happened to follow her. There was an unspoken hostility toward me, and I never completely understood it. Natalia remained quiet, but her lingering eyes were questioning me. "Was your stay on the rooftop not long enough?" 

Naturally, I was beginning to grow tired of the consistent threats and harassments. Since I was stubborn and rarely talked back, they saw me as a vulnerable target. Feigning fear, I took a wary step back. Furrowing my eyebrows, I crossed my arms to make myself look timid. "August won't be happy with that." 

Irk flashed through her expression, clenching her knuckles unhappily. Scoffing, she readjusted her white uniform, almost in a mocking way that reminded me of where I stood in the hierarchy. Liana threatening strode forward, "You're a Humilis," she warned, "And not even sleeping around with Nicolas or August will change that." 

I could feel my expression curl in disgust. I wouldn't be caught dead around those two. "You and I both know those are just rumours," I laughed, the facade of a timid girl long gone. She was starting to really get on my nerves. "Are you jealous he hasn't paid you any mind since meeting me?" I provoked, crossing my fingers behind my back as I hoped August wasn't secretly listening in. I certainly didn't like the idea of feeding his ego, nor did I feel like having him insult me ruthlessly either. His play on words was often aggravating. "How does it feel knowing you're trying so hard, but he doesn't even glance in your direction unless you can provide a quick fuck?" She flinched. There was a difference between psychologically and physically hurting someone. A wound will heal, but the words will always linger. 

A reverberating sound of a slap echoed through the empty corridors. "I have the power to make people disappear, and companies fall without a trace," she smiled with a tilt of her head. "What makes you think you're an exception?" Natalia nervously gazed between the two of us, gnawing on her thumb as she tried to think of ways to calm the situation.

"Liana, she can't possibly be that important that." 

Taken aback by the impact of the slap, I breathed in, "Augustine," I chimed, recalling the time where his mother called him that at the ball. I had found it amusing when his ears grew red, pulling me by the wrist and demanded that I forget I heard that. At first, I was unsure if he was nearby, but I had confirmed it when I heard a small snicker. I wanted to tease him. And since he introduced me at the event, he also couldn't simply throw me away. Well, in theory, he could. But according to his words, he wanted what Nicolas wanted and wouldn't stop until he succeeded. Even though it was a dumb idea, it meant that for the time being, I was basically untouchable. "Augustine, I know you're listening. Are you going to let her treat me like this?" 

Liana gulped, growing red in embarrassment. "Since August is here, I'll let it slide," she huffed. "But don't count on it next time." 

A breathy sigh came from behind. Striding beside me with his hands in his pockets, he sent a lazy smirk. "Escort yourself away while you still have a chance, Liana," and when she nodded obediently and out of sight, August chuckled lowly, "I warned you not to call me that." 

"You don't have to look like you're going to kill me," I pouted rather shamelessly, pivoting away from how close he was standing to me. 

Suddenly, he leaned down with his hand caressing my cheek. After a moment, he opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by a call. "You should get that iced," and turned away to pick up his phone. How sweet, I thought. "I can't have my girlfriend looking ugly." 

Nevermind. I cursed him, shooting a middle finger while he was walking away with his back at me. And it wasn't until I realized how erratic my heart was beating. I was given a weak heart against good-looking men, and it wasn't my fault. "You never asked me out,"

"Calista, will you start by going out for dinner with me?" He muted his phone, turning his head back. 

"No," I giggled mischievously and booked it down the emergency steps. "Try again in three to five business days!"